The police and prosecutor by collecting physical evidence
that may be used in the police investigation and criminal court, if the
victim decides to report the crime.

To be eligible for SAFE Program services, victims of sexual assault must:

be 13 years of age or older;

give permission (informed consent) for a forensic exam and evidence collection; and

go to the emergency room at a participating health care facility within 120 hours of the sexual assault.

DID YOU KNOW?You do not have to report the crime to police to receive SAFE Program services. If you decide to have the exam and evidence collection done, it will be stored at the Connecticut State Forensic Lab anonymously, which means that there will not be any personal information that identifies you.

SAFE Program services are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day,
7 days a week. By law, you cannot receive a bill for the sexual
assault forensic exam and evidence collection, even if you go to a non-participating
health care facility. If you or your insurance company receives a bill from the
hospital for the sexual assault forensic examination services, please call
OVS at 1-800-822-8428. OVS receives
state funding to reimburse health care facilities for sexual assault forensic
examinations and will contact the health care facility to pay the bill.

The SAFE Program was named after the late Gail Burns-Smith, who advocated for rights and services for victims of sexual assault and abuse.

You or your insurance company will be
responsible to pay for the treatment of other injuries (for example, x-rays,
stitches). The Victim Compensation Program may be able to help you pay for
these costs if they are not covered by insurance or another financial
resource. Please call 1-888-286-7347
for more information.